Health Library

After Carotid Artery Stenting: In the Hospital

After carotid artery stenting, you will most likely stay overnight in the hospital for care and monitoring. At home, follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery. Be sure to keep your medical appointments. Seeing your doctor for imaging tests and other follow-up treatment helps make the procedure a success.

Just After the Procedure

You will be taken to the recovery room for observation.

A nurse will monitor your vital signs, your neurological signs, and the injection site while you are in the recovery room.

Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) or a regular hospital room.

If the sheath was left in the insertion site, it will be removed from the groin or arm at the appropriate time.

After the sheath is removed, pressure will be applied directly on the site either manually or with a clamp-type device for about 20 minutes by a nurse or other health care professional. After bleeding has stopped completely with the pressure application, a tight dressing will be applied on the site.

You may need to keep your leg straight for 2 to 6 hours. It is very important that you keep your leg or arm with the catheter site straight during this period.

You may be given pain medication for pain or discomfort related to the injection site or having to lie flat and still for a prolonged period.

After the specified period of bedrest has been completed and there is no bleeding from the injection site you may get out of bed. The nurse will assist you the first time and will check your blood pressure while you are lying, sitting, and standing.

Your Hospital Stay

While you are in the hospital:

You’ll be closely monitored until you’re ready to go home.

Hospital staff will check your pulse and blood pressure from time to time.

You may also have certain tests, such as tests of your brain function, blood tests, or an ultrasound.

Your IV will remain in place until shortly before you go home.

You Can Leave the Hospital

You will be allowed to leave the hospital when:

Your condition is stable.

You do not have weakness or numbness in either your legs or arms.

The groin insertion site is not bleeding or swollen.

You have no signs of infection.

You have no headache or swings in your blood pressure.

Your doctor has reviewed any test results and has cleared you to go home.